Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Travel Guide: What to See, Eat & Do (2026)

Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately known as Saigon by locals, is one of the best places to visit in southern Vietnam if you want incredible food, busy markets, fascinating history, and a city that never seems to slow down.

Saigon is a full-on sensory experience; the streets are filled with an ever-shifting procession of food stalls and no matter the time of day there’s always someone ready to cook you another incredible meal.

Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting?

Ho Chi Minh City was both our first and last stop in Vietnam, a country that had been high on both of our travel lists for as long as we can remember. It is Vietnam's largest and most populous city, and there always seems to be something happening. The energy, traffic, motorbikes, street food, markets, and constant movement definitely lived up to the craziness we had heard about.

There is something happening here at almost every hour of the day, whether you're wandering through a market early in the morning, grabbing Cơm Tấm (broken rice) for lunch, watching the motorbikes fill the streets, or sitting down for a late-night bowl of noodles. And if you like a little sweetness in your food, you're probably going to love Southern Vietnamese cuisine.

Our first experience here was arriving right in the middle of Tết, Vietnam's biggest holiday. Tết typically falls between late January and mid-February and lasts for about a week. This is a complex holiday, celebrating the arrival of spring on the lunisolar calendar while locals travel to reunite with relatives and honor their ancestors. This was already somewhat familiar to us because of our Vietnamese friends back home, but experiencing it in Vietnam was completely different. We were staying for two weeks, which worked out perfectly because we got to experience the city during the holiday and again once things started getting back to normal.

If you're planning a trip around Tết, keep in mind that many businesses close for the holiday, especially during the first three days. Most businesses that close for the holiday do so for around a week, although some stay closed even longer. Because of this, you'll want to plan ahead if you're visiting during Tết and make sure the restaurants, attractions, and other businesses you want to visit will actually be open. It is also not uncommon for businesses to charge an additional fee if they are open during Tết.

I think Ho Chi Minh City is a must-see if you're traveling through southern Vietnam, but I also think it's important to get outside the biggest cities. Some of our favorite experiences in Vietnam came in smaller places, and Buon Ma Thuot ended up being one of my personal favorites.

Ho Chi Minh City may be loud, chaotic, crowded, and a little overwhelming at times, but that's also what makes it so much fun. If you're ready to embrace the energy, eat your way through the city, and experience urban life in southern Vietnam, this is a place you won't want to skip.

And if you're anything like us, your time in South East Asia may take you to some of our other favorite cities, like sprawling Bangkok, or maybe you'll visit the slower-paced, temple town of Chiang Mai.

For the residents of this bustling city, life begins early before the tropical heat sets in. Hot bowls of phở bò are eaten at 6am for breakfast and the endless drone of motorbikes never truly stops. Saigon is an unmissable stop while traveling Vietnam, even if megacities aren’t your ideal destination. It has a Southern Vietnamese culture all its own and it's a great hub to reach other not-to-be-missed locations, like the Mekong Delta. This travel guide will help you understand why you should visit Saigon and the many things to do, see and EAT! Happy Travels!

Quick Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh City

📍Location

Southern Vietnam, along the Saigon River. Google maps location

📅Best Time to Visit

December through April is generally the driest period and a popular time to visit. May through November is rainier and more humid, but the rain often comes in short bursts. The climate is hot and humid year-round in Southern Vietnam but some of the northern mountainous regions can be cool and damp in the winter months.

⏳How Long to Stay

4 to 6 days gives you enough time to explore the city, eat your way through the neighborhoods, visit the major sights, and take a day trip or two.

🛂Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens

U.S. citizens need a visa to enter Vietnam. An e-visa is available for eligible travelers. Check the current requirements before your trip.

🚍Getting Around

Grab is our go-to for taxis. Ho Chi Minh City also has public buses and a metro system, making it possible to get around without renting a vehicle.

💱Currency

Vietnamese đồng (VND). Cards are accepted in many businesses, but cash is essential for markets, street food, smaller restaurants, and local buses.

💰Budget

• Budget travelers can expect to spend around $25 to $50 per person per day.

• Mid-range travelers should plan on roughly $50 to $100.

• High-end travelers can easily spend $100 or more.

🗣️Language

Vietnamese is the official language. English is common in tourist areas, hotels, and many restaurants, but Google Translate can be very helpful in smaller local businesses. Helpful Phrases Guide

🚨Emergency Phone Numbers in Ho Chi Minh City

• Police: 113

• Fire Department: 114

• Ambulance: 115

• National Emergency Hotline: 112

U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City

• Address: 4 Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Phone / After-hours Emergencies: +84 28 3520 4200

• Website: https://vn.usembassy.gov/

For emergencies involving a U.S. citizen, contact the U.S. Consulate General. Local emergency operators may primarily speak Vietnamese, so ask hotel staff or a local contact for assistance if needed.

🏘️Best Neighborhoods

• Tân Định is a great choice for a more local feel while remaining convenient to the main sights.

• District 1 is best for first-time visitors who want to be close to major attractions and nightlife.

• Chợ Lớn is a great option if you want to experience Ho Chi Minh City's Chinese-Vietnamese culture and food.

Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese food is one of Don's and my favorite cuisines. When we lived in Washington State for 10 years, we were lucky enough to have a large Vietnamese community nearby, which meant we had easy access to great Vietnamese restaurants as well as the ingredients to make some pretty delicious meals at home. So when we arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, trying as much local food as possible was definitely high on our list.

If you are unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine, Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to start exploring it. During our time here, we tried everything from familiar favorites like phở and cơm tấm to dishes we had never tried before, including bánh đúc, bánh canh cua, and one of my all-time favorites, bún đậu mắm tôm.

One thing that surprised us shortly after arriving in HCMC was how much sweeter the food tasted compared with the Vietnamese food we were used to eating back home. It wasn't bad, just sweeter than our taste buds preferred.

We eventually learned that sweeter flavors are common in Southern Vietnamese cuisine, so this isn't necessarily a reflection of how Vietnamese food tastes throughout the entire country. It is simply a regional preference that many people in southern Vietnam love.

Vietnamese food also makes incredible use of fresh herbs, vegetables, spices, and aromatics. Many meals come with a generous plate of fresh greens and herbs that you mix into your soup, noodles, rice, or dipping sauces. I love this aspect of Vietnamese food because it gives you so many different textures and flavors in a single meal.

We often get asked if we have ever gotten food poisoning while traveling in Vietnam, and the answer is no. That doesn't mean it can't happen, and we know people who have gotten sick while traveling here. Sometimes your stomach simply needs time to adjust to unfamiliar ingredients, spices, oils, or bacteria.

One thing we do is look for places where locals are eating. A busy restaurant or food stall is often a good sign that the food is fresh and popular with the people who live nearby. Some of our favorite meals in HCMC came from places that we never would have found by searching for a fancy restaurant.

Bún Đậu Mạnh Phát | Bún Chả Cơm Chiên | Bún Đậu Ngon Quận 1

• Address- 53 Nguyễn Hữu Cầu, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6:30am-11pm
  Price point- $2-5USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm: One of My Favorite Vietnamese Meals

If there is one Vietnamese meal I could happily eat over and over again, it is bún đậu mắm tôm. We could get this near our house in Washington, so naturally we had to try it in Vietnam. And honestly, it was even better here.

Bún đậu mắm tôm is more of a mixed platter than a single dish. Ours came with green rice pork rolls, fried fermented pork sausage, cartilage sausage, pork roll, crispy fried tofu, fresh herbs, and a small dish of mắm tôm, a strongly fermented shrimp paste used as a dipping sauce. We also ordered a side of stuffed snails with pork.

I realize that fermented shrimp paste probably doesn't sound particularly appetizing to everyone. In fact, the smell alone can be enough to scare people away. But there is just something about that funky, salty, fermented flavor that makes my mouth water. If fermented shrimp isn't your thing, don't worry. You can still enjoy the rest of the platter and simply skip the dipping sauce.

This was one of my favorite meals in HCMC, and it was even more delicious than the version we were used to getting back home. Our total came to 175,000 VND ($6.71 USD).

Ăn cơm chưa?

• Address- 1 Đ. Số 8, An Khánh, Hồ Chí Minh 71107, Vietnam
  Hours- Open Monday- Saturday 11am-8:30pm Closed on Sunday
  Price point- $2-5 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

We stopped here after dropping our suitcases off at a storage unit, and this ended up being one of my favorite cơm tấm meals of the trip.

Cơm tấm, or broken rice, is one of the most popular everyday meals in Southern Vietnam and one of my favorites. Like many of the world's great culinary creations cơm tấm was born out of desperation.

During times of famine, rice growers started utilizing the grains broken during the milling process. This gives them a slightly different texture from regular long-grain rice and it became so popular that now its eaten even when normal rice is abundant. It is traditionally served with grilled pork, vegetables, pickles, and various savory toppings.

We both ordered the large pork chop broken rice plate. It came with broken rice, a grilled pork chop, shredded pork skin, pickled greens, mắm chưng, a savory steamed meatloaf, a tea egg, braised pork, and a vegetable and radish soup.

This was my favorite version so far because nothing was overly sweet. The pork chop was perfectly cooked with a nice charcoal flavor and just a hint of sweetness. The soup was simple but incredibly refreshing, with a clear broth, soft vegetables, and black pepper.

The restaurant also gave us two complimentary iced teas and had a really nice upstairs seating area with air conditioning. We arrived a little early and initially had the place almost to ourselves, but by the time we finished eating, there wasn't an empty seat.

That is usually a pretty good sign when you're looking for a local restaurant.

Bánh Đúc Phan Đăng Lưu

• Address- 116/2/3 Phan Đăng Lưu, Đức Nhuận, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 2pm-5pm or until they sell out
  Price point- $1-2USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Bánh Đúc in a Hidden Alley: Our host suggested we head here if we wanted to try something most tourists don't get to try. The reviews were great, so we decided to give it a try. It is tucked away in the back of an alley and feels almost hidden from the rest of the city. Honestly, we weren't even sure we were going in the right direction.

When we arrived, we found a tiny shop with only a few stools. The woman working there didn't speak English, but that wasn't a problem. We simply used Google Translate and pointed to what we wanted on the menu posted on the wall.

We each ordered a bánh đúc dish, which consisted of two steamed rice cakes filled with pork and mushrooms and topped with fried garlic and optional chili. The rice cakes had a thick, bouncy texture that reminded me a little of mochi, while the pork and mushroom filling was savory and flavorful.

The cakes were served with a sweet fish sauce that was a little sweeter than we preferred, but adding chili helped balance it out. The fried garlic on top added a wonderful savory crunch.

This was such a fun little food adventure because it felt like one of those places we never would have found without a local's recommendation and being willing to wander down an alley! The total came to 76,000 VND ($2.90 USD) for both bowls.

MÌ VỊT TIỀM LỘC KÝ

• Address- 105 Đ. Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, Phường, Chợ Lớn, Hồ Chí Minh 748500, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 7am-9pm
  Price point- $3-8 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Our Favorite Soup in HCMC: After the Lantern Festival, we wanted to find a Chinese restaurant in Chợ Lớn, Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. We came across this restaurant on Google and decided to give it a try.

We both ordered the braised duck noodle soup, and this ended up being our favorite soup we had in HCMC.

The broth was made with an incredible combination of coriander seeds, ginger, star anise, cloves, lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, licorice root, cardamom, and monk fruit. Somehow all of those ingredients came together into a rich, deeply herbal broth without being overly sweet.

The duck was tender and juicy, and the soup came with egg noodles and bok choy. After trying so many Southern Vietnamese soups that were sweeter than what we were accustomed to, this was a welcome change.

We both absolutely loved this meal. If you are looking for something a little different from the classic Vietnamese soups, I highly recommend giving this one a try. The total came to 170,000 VND ($6.53 USD) for both.

Cơm Tấm Phương Sườn Nướng Mật Ong

• Address- 296 Pasteur, Xuân Hòa, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily 6am-9pm
  Price point- $2-5 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

We walked past this restaurant several times and noticed that it was always busy, so eventually we had to stop in. We both ordered broken rice with a pork chop, mắm chưng, and vegetable soup.

The pork was tender with a slight sweetness, and the mắm chưng had a comforting umami flavor. The light cabbage soup was a nice contrast to the grilled pork and rice.

This is an incredibly popular lunch in Vietnam and definitely a dish I recommend adding to your food list. This restaurant has seating outside as well as inside upstairs. The inside seating is not air-conditioned so I recommend sitting outside if you can find a seat. Our total came to 90,000 VND ($3.44 USD) for both.

Bún Bò Huế Trang

• Address- 9 Nguyễn Bá Lân, An Khánh, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6:30am-6:30pm
  Price point- $3-5 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Bún bò Huế is a spicy beef noodle soup that originated in Huế, in central Vietnam. Compared with phở, it generally has a stronger, more complex and spicy flavor, with thicker, round rice noodles and a broth traditionally flavored with lemongrass and chili.

Here, I ordered the beef shank with a pork patty, while Don ordered the mixed bowl with beef shank, eye-round beef, tendon, and pork patty.

The broth here was fairly mild compared to the soup in the north and slightly sweet, but the meat had great flavor and the noodles had a nice, bouncy texture. I added chilies and fermented shrimp paste to mine for more heat and that funky umami flavor I love. Don kept his simpler with just chilies.

The fresh herbs and condiments really do make a difference with Vietnamese food, customization is the name of the game here! And slowly but surely, I got a little more used to eating hot bowls of soup when it's 90°F outside! The total came to 100,000 VND ($3.84 USD) for both.

Bánh Canh Cua 87

• Address- 87 Trần Khắc Chân, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 11am-8pm
  Price point- $2-5 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Our host recommended this restaurant as one of the best places to try bánh canh cua, so naturally we had to check it out. Bánh canh is a thick Vietnamese noodle soup made with chewy tapioca or tapioca-rice noodles. Bánh canh cua is the crab version, with a rich seafood-based broth.

Our bowls were loaded with real pieces of crab and roasted pork and also came with a shrimp, pork patty, quail egg, and mushrooms. It was a pretty hearty bowl of soup compared with some of the lighter Vietnamese noodle soups we had tried.

The broth was once again a little sweeter than we prefer, but we added plenty of lime and chili, which balanced the flavors out nicely. The result was rich, savory, spicy, and full of seafood flavor. For two soups and one fried bread the total came to 120,000 VND ($4.61 USD).

Bún Chả Hà Nội Xuân Tứ

• Address- 26A2 Bùi Thị Xuân, Tân Sơn Hòa, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 7:30am-9pm
  Price point- $3-6 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Bún chả is a Hanoi specialty but we were too excited to wait till we got there and had to try it in HCMC! It's made with grilled pork, pork meatballs, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and a sweet and tangy dipping sauce filled with pickled vegetables.

Don got the large bowl, which came with grilled pork, meatballs, and a fried roll, while I ordered the regular bowl with grilled pork and meatballs. Both came with noodles, herbs, and fresh vegetables.

This is actually a dish I made at home in Washington and is one of our favorites. We were both so excited to try this in Vietnam and this restaurant did not disappoint!

The meat is served in the dipping sauce, and you eat it by adding the noodles and herbs to the bowl a little at a time so they don't get soggy. The grilled meat was absolutely delicious and some of the best grilled pork we had during our time in HCMC. We both really enjoyed this meal and I highly recommend trying it here. The total for both came to 159,000 VND ($6.04 USD).

Phở Hiền 1985 - Trần Quang Khải

• Address- 15 Trần Nguyên Đán, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6:30am-12:30am
  Price point- $3-6 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Of course, we couldn't spend time in HCMC without having phở!

Phở is probably the Vietnamese dish most people outside Vietnam are familiar with. It is a rice noodle soup traditionally made with a beef bone broth, cooked slowly with spices like black cardamom, star anise, cloves and coriander seeds. It's served with beef, or occasionally chicken, in a fragrant broth, along with fresh herbs, lime, chili, and other toppings.

Here, I ordered the meatball phở with a lemon soda, while Don had the fatty brisket phở with pennywort juice. My soda was a little sweeter than I expected but still good.

Both bowls were huge and delicious, with perfectly cooked and seasoned meat. We did notice that the broth was sweeter and a little less complex than the phở we were accustomed to getting back home in Washington.

Still, it was a great bowl of phở and a fun opportunity to compare Vietnamese food in Vietnam with what we had been eating back home for years. The total for both bowls and drinks came to 200,000 VND ($7.69 USD).

Meatball Pho

Fatty Brisket Pho

Con Gà Mái

• Address- 72 Đường Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 7:30am-9pm
  Price point- $3-8 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

We ordered the mixed chicken platter for two, which came with both boiled and fried chicken, sautéed organ meat, kimchi, and cucumber salad served over shredded cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts. It also came with two plates of yellow broken rice and a dipping sauce that was slightly sweet.

The boiled chicken was a little chewier than I personally prefer, but Don read that this texture is intentional and is actually how many people in Vietnam prefer their chicken.

My favorite part was the sautéed organ meat and the yellow broken rice. I also loved all of the fresh vegetables served alongside everything.

This was a fun meal because you get a little bit of everything on one plate rather than having to choose just one dish. This was a nice sit down restaurant that had a huge menu so I think it has something for everyone as well as a more western feel. The total came to 190,000 VND ($7.29 USD)

Quán Cháo Lòng 374

• Address- 374 Đ. Lê Văn Sỹ, Tân Sơn Hòa, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6am- 10pm
  Price point- $3-6 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

We had been craving organ meat (I know, also not for everyone...) so we went on the hunt for a restaurant specializing in it. This place immediately caught our attention because it looked immaculately clean, had no unpleasant smell, and was packed with locals.

We definitely got some curious looks when we walked in. It wasn't because we weren't welcomed, I think people were simply surprised to see tourists walking into a traditional organ meat restaurant.

We couldn't find a menu, so we pulled up pictures from the restaurant's Google listing and pointed to what we wanted. It worked perfectly. (A trick we have found helpful in many countries, like Thailand, when eating outside tourist areas.)

We ordered a lòng heo organ meat platter along with bún đậu mắm tôm, a traditional mixed plate of fried tofu and pork. One of the women working there even showed us how to mix the dipping sauces with lime and sugar.

Everything we ordered was so fresh and delicious, we even ordered a second serving of the organ meat platter!

If you are looking for organ meat or want to try something new, I highly recommend adding this restaurant to your list!

Everyone was incredibly welcoming and willing to work with us despite the language barrier. Experiences like this are one of the reasons we love traveling. You don't always need a shared language to have a great meal and a memorable interaction with the people serving it. Our total bill came to 200,000 VND ($7.69 USD).

Mỳ A Quý

• Address- 151C Trần Quang Khải, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 4pm-12am
  Price point- $ 2-5 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

We were looking for a SIM card when we noticed this restaurant was packed with locals, so we decided to stop in for lunch. An older man welcomed us right away and seemed genuinely excited that we wanted to eat there.

What's on the menu? Honestly, we're not really sure. We couldn't understand much of it, but we figured we'd end up with noodles and meat, and we were right!

Our bowls were filled with thin noodles, finely sliced lean pork, two dumplings, fried onions, and mixed greens in a hot, flavorful broth.

Everything was fresh, hot, and delicious, with the slight sweetness we quickly learned is common in Southern Vietnamese cuisine. Sometimes not knowing exactly what you're ordering makes the meal even more fun.

Bò Né 3 Ngon Street Food Stall

• Address- 475 Đ. Lê Văn Sỹ, Tân Sơn Hòa, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- We were there on a friday at midnight, I count find any official hours
  Price point- $1-3 USD
  Payment- Cash
  ~Google Maps Location

We spotted this food stall on our way to get water and decided to stop for a quick bite. Honestly, this is one of my favorite ways to find food when we're traveling. Sometimes the best meals aren't found in restaurants at all.

Bò né roughly translates to "beef sizzling," and the dish is served sizzling hot on a cow-shaped cast-iron plate. We found this particular stall set up next to a roundabout with nothing more than a food cart and some plastic chairs and tables. So we new we were in for a good meal.

I ordered the basic plate, which came with an egg, pâté, ham, a hot dog, and bread. Don ordered the larger combination plate, which also included the sizzling beef. Everything was cooked right on the cast-iron griddle.

It wasn't fancy, and the ingredients weren't gourmet, but it was hot, comforting, delicious, and incredibly cheap. Sometimes that's exactly what you want. This place also had brick and mortar locations so if you see one, stop in! Our total bill came to 73,000 VND ($2.77 USD) for both.

Vịt quay sốt tiêu xanh Hong Kong - Thân Thiệu Nhiên

• Address- 63C Phạm Văn Hai, Quận Tân Bình, Hồ Chí Minh 700915, Vietnam
  Hours- Open Monday-Friday 7am-8:30pm and Saturday&Sunday 12pm-8:30pm
  Price point- $2-5 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

I can't remember exactly how we found this restaurant, but once we spotted the roasted pork and ducks hanging in the window, we knew we had to stop in!

We both ordered the crispy roasted pork lunch special, which came with pickled greens, rice, and a vegetable and meat soup. Everything was delicious! The pork had a wonderfully crispy crust while staying juicy in the middle, and it came with a dark, herbal soy sauce that paired perfectly with the meat. The soup was light and savory without being sweet, making it a great balance to the rich pork. We enjoyed the meal so much that we decided to order one of the roasted ducks hanging in the window to take home for dinner!

We ordered half a Hong Kong-style roasted duck with green peppercorn sauce. We watched as the man pulled the duck from the window, and to our surprise, before he started chopping it up, he drained out what we realized was the green peppercorn sauce. There was practically a whole liter of sauce inside that duck! It was all included with our order, and we took it home to enjoy for dinner.

The duck was incredibly flavorful, moist, and wonderfully rich and greasy in the best possible way. We shared the half duck that evening, and there was so much food that we couldn't even finish it all!

If you're looking for authentic Hong Kong-style roast duck or crispy roast pork while visiting Saigon, I highly recommend stopping here.

Highlands Coffee

• Address- 15-17-19 Đ. Tôn Thất Thiệp, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam (There are several locations)
  Hours- Open daily 7am-11pm
  Price point- $2-4 USD
  Payment- Card or cash
  Google Maps Location

You are going to see Highlands Coffee everywhere in Vietnam. Every location we passed seemed to be packed, and after trying it ourselves, we understood why.

I ordered a large iced coffee with almond, fresh milk, and coffee jelly. Don had a large green tea milk tea with coconut jelly. Both were refreshing and delicious, especially on a hot HCMC afternoon.

Highlands Coffee is one of Vietnam's major homegrown coffee chains and is a fun stop if you want to experience a more modern side of Vietnam's coffee culture.

One interesting bit of history we came across is that Highlands Coffee founder David Thai has a rather unusual backstory. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he was involved in organized crime in the United States and was connected to the "Born to Kill" gang in New York City. He later built Highlands Coffee into the major Vietnamese chain it is today. For both drinks the total came to 128,000 VND ($4.93 USD)

Helpful Tip: If someone comes over to clean your shoes get the price right away, or you may end up paying more then you hoped. Don paid 200,000 dong for a shoe cleaning here, but they did look nice and fresh afterwards.

Where to Find the Best Bánh Mì in Ho Chi Minh City

Bánh mì is one of Vietnam's most iconic street foods, and in Ho Chi Minh City, you are never far from a bánh mì cart, tiny shop, or bustling sandwich counter. These Vietnamese sandwiches combine a crisp, airy baguette with savory meats, pâté, mayonnaise, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and flavorful sauces. The exact combination varies from shop to shop, which is part of the fun of trying them.

One thing to keep in mind when eating bánh mì from street carts is that most of them aren't temperature controlled. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, but we recommend using the same common-sense approach we use with other street food. Look for busy carts with a steady stream of customers and, when possible, check the reviews before you go.

High turnover usually means the ingredients aren't sitting around for long. If you're worried about food safety or simply prefer a more controlled environment, look for an indoor bánh mì shop instead. We found some excellent ones that offered the same delicious sandwiches without the open-air setup.

The Bí Mành - Bánh Mì Heo Quay - Đinh Tiên Hoàng

• Address- 199 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6am-7:30pm
  Price point- $1-2 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Locations

This little bánh mì stand was fairly new when we visited, but the roast pork looked way too good to pass up. Thịt heo quay, or Vietnamese crispy roast pork belly, is one of Don's favorite foods, so when we saw that they specialized in it, stopping was pretty much a given.

When roast pork belly is done right, the skin is so crispy it practically shatters when you bite into it. Then you get that layer of rich, buttery fat followed by tender, lean pork. It's hard to think of a better sandwich filling.

The two young women running the stall were incredibly friendly, and our bánh mì heo quay nhiều thịt came loaded with generous portions of crispy roast pork belly. We also asked for extra chile saté, and they happily obliged.

The sandwich wasn't overly sweet, had just the right amount of heat, and was incredibly satisfying. For us, this was a 10 out of 10.

My only regret is that we didn't find this shop sooner so we could have had it more than once! I also looked this place up again while putting together this guide, and I'm happy to report that they're still doing well and have continued to receive excellent Google reviews. That's always something I like to see when recommending a small local food stand. It means our great experience wasn't just a one-time fluke!

Photo by Kadir Celep on Unsplash

Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa

• Address- 26 Lê Thị Riêng, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6am-10pm
  Price point- $2-4 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

If you're looking for one of the famous bánh mì shops in Ho Chi Minh City, Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa is worth checking out. It was one of the busiest bánh mì shops we visited, with a steady mix of locals and tourists lining up for sandwiches.

The ordering system can be a little confusing when you first arrive. The ordering line is on the right, Delivery pick ups wait in the middle, and after you order and pay, you move to the pickup line on the left (hold on to your receipt). Once you figure it out, everything moves pretty quickly.

And these sandwiches are huge.

We each ordered the traditional large special, and honestly, it was more bánh mì than I could eat in one sitting. The baguette was fresh and crispy, and the sandwich was absolutely loaded with Vietnamese deli meats, pâté, mayonnaise, and pork floss.

The vegetables came separately in bags if you're getting the sandwich to go. That keeps the bread from becoming soggy before you have a chance to eat it. Though it does add to a lot of plastic waste.

There is seating available in the neighboring building, so you don't necessarily have to take your sandwich with you. After seeing how busy the shop was, we understood why it has such a strong reputation. There is a constant turnover of sandwiches, which is exactly what you want to see when you're buying food.

My only recommendation? Consider splitting one sandwich. We each got our own, and it was simply too much food for me. The total for both came to 156,000 VND ($6.00 USD) which is a lot more than most shops, but it was twice the sandwich!

Bánh Mì Bảy Hổ

• Address- 25 Huỳnh Khương Ninh, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 5am-7pm
  Price point- $1-3 USD
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

The restaurant we originally planned to visit no longer existed, so we decided to try this bánh mì shop nearby instead. Sometimes the backup plan ends up being just as good, and that was definitely the case here.

Like many bánh mì shops in HCMC, this one is small and unassuming. It's essentially a little sandwich counter at the front of a building with a few plastic seats tucked into the alley. The food looked good, the reviews were good, and there were enough signs of local business that we decided to give it a try.

We mixed things up this time. I ordered the chicken bánh mì while Don went with the beef. Both came on a freshly baked, crispy baguette and were delicious.

What really stood out to us was the sauce. Instead of the traditional sweet brown sauce we had encountered at other bánh mì shops, this one used a house-made red sauce that was noticeably spicier and much less sweet. We actually preferred it.

We also shared an iced black coffee, which came already sweetened with sugar. Normally, the sweetness of Southern Vietnamese food and drinks isn't our favorite, so this was actually a nice change from some of the other meals we'd had.

This was a great reminder that bánh mì can vary quite a bit from one shop to the next. Change the meat, sauce, pâté, pickles, or seasonings, and you can end up with a completely different sandwich.

Book Tours and Experiences with Viator

We’ve been using Viator for years, and it’s one of our go-to resources when looking for tours and experiences while traveling. I like that you can find everything from budget-friendly group tours to more personalized experiences with local guides and companies. It makes it easier to compare prices, read reviews, and find activities that fit our travel style and budget. Viator is owned by Tripadvisor, which is another reason I feel comfortable using the platform. Whether you're interested in exploring the Mekong Delta, learning more about Vietnamese history, taking a food tour, or getting outside the city for a day, Viator is a great place to start planning your next adventure.

Best Day Trip from Ho Chi Minh City: Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta River Tour

• Cost: $26.39 per person
  Tour: Medium Group Tour with SST Travel through Viator
  Group Size: 15 people

• Book with Viator

If you want to experience the Mekong Delta while staying in Ho Chi Minh City, a guided day trip is an easy way to do it without having to arrange transportation and activities yourself. We booked the medium group Mekong Delta tour with SST Travel through Viator, and it ended up being a really fun day.

There were 15 people in our group, which was large enough to have a social atmosphere without feeling overwhelming. After booking, Don received our confirmation voucher by email, and the day before the tour we received two WhatsApp messages confirming our reservation and providing the final details.

We met our group in District 1, although hotel pickup is available if you're staying nearby. From there, we climbed into a shuttle van and drove about an hour and a half south toward the Mekong Delta.

Once we arrived, we boarded a larger boat and headed toward Unicorn Island. From there, we walked through the village to Orchard Garden, where we stopped for some refreshing honey tea. This was also where things got a little more interesting because I got to hold both a beehive and a python!

We continued walking through the village, stopping to sample some typical tropical fruit while listening to traditional Vietnamese folk music. We also got to see how snake wine is made. Snake wine is a traditional Vietnamese infused liquor made by steeping a snake in rice wine. It definitely isn't something we see every day!

From there, we boarded the boat again and headed to a coconut candy workshop. We watched the entire process of making the candy, from cooking the coconut mixture to shaping and cutting the finished pieces. We were able to sample several of the different flavors they had available for purchase. We didn't buy any, but we each got a homemade coconut ice pop, which was absolutely delicious and very refreshing in the heat.

Next, we walked to the restaurant for lunch. Along the way, we got to see how several animals are farmed in the area, including frogs, snakes, fish, and crocodiles. And yes, I got to feed a crocodile!

After that, we climbed into small rowboats and headed down one of the narrower canals. This was probably one of my favorite parts of the day. After the busier portions of the tour, the small boats felt incredibly peaceful as we slowly made our way through the lush vegetation along the canal.

Eventually, we stopped for a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Our meal included a fried elephant ear fish, curry chicken, rice, vegetables, and spring rolls. Everything was served family-style, so we shared the meal with our new friends from the tour. The food was delicious, although the flavors were fairly mild.

After lunch, everyone climbed into a truck and headed back toward the larger boat. We crossed the Mekong again before returning to the van for the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. While we were on the boat, we were also given fresh coconuts to drink, which was a perfect way to cool down after a hot day exploring.

Overall, we really enjoyed this tour. There was a good mix of activities, food, cultural experiences, boat rides, and opportunities to see a different side of southern Vietnam. I also really enjoyed our group and our guide, which can make a huge difference on a full-day group tour.

If you're staying in Ho Chi Minh City and want to see the Mekong Delta without arranging everything yourself, this was an easy and affordable option for us.

The Best Capybara Cafe in Ho Chi Minh City

We did quite a bit of research before choosing an animal cafe in Ho Chi Minh City. We love animals, but we also want to be careful about where we spend our money. We wanted to make sure the animals were well cared for and that visiting them wasn't causing unnecessary stress.

When we arrived at Kapi Cafe, it didn't take long for us to feel like we'd made the right choice. The capybaras had plenty of space, including areas to relax, swim, and use the bathroom, and they didn't appear overwhelmed or stressed by visitors. What really stood out to us, though, was the relationship between the animals and their handlers.

The handlers knew each capybara's individual personality and were happy to tell us about their different quirks and behaviors. There was a genuine affection between them that felt very different from someone simply doing a job. Watching the handlers interact with the capybaras gave us a lot of confidence that these animals were genuinely loved and well cared for.

Kapi Cafe

• Address- Lily Rd/40 P, khu biệt thự, An Khánh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours-Open daily from 9:30am-pm7
  Price point- $6-12USD
  Payment- Cash or Card
  Google Maps Location

If you've ever wanted to hang out with a capybara, this is your chance!

Kapi Cafe gives visitors an opportunity to spend time with these incredibly chill animals, and I absolutely loved the experience. Capybaras are often described as giant guinea pigs, but to me, they are basically oversized puppies. They're surprisingly calm, curious, and very happy to accept attention when they're in the mood for it.

When you arrive at the gated community where Kapi Cafe is located, let the guard know you're going to the cafe. They provide a free shuttle through the private neighborhood to take you to the cafe. They simply ask that you don't take video while riding through the community.

The capybaras are kept in a separate enclosure designed specifically for them. They have a muddy area where they can lounge, a pool where they can swim, and even a litter box for going to the bathroom. I had absolutely no idea capybaras could be litter-box trained!

You can pet the capybaras and feed them the grass provided by the cafe. We purchased the combo ticket, which included our capybara visit, a drink, a cupcake, and a cup of grass to feed them.

We were especially lucky because we ended up getting about 20 minutes alone with the capybaras. They were happy to receive scratches and munch on the grass, and we never felt like they were being forced to interact with us.

For us, this was one of those animal experiences where the welfare of the animals actually felt like a priority. The capybaras appeared relaxed, the handlers clearly knew and cared about them, and we left feeling really good about the experience.

If you're looking for an animal cafe in HCMC, especially one where you can interact with capybaras, Kapi Cafe was a wonderful experience for us. We did the classic combo package which includes one "kapi pass", one drink and a cake. We also added on one cup of food. The total came to 500,000 VND ($19.19 USD)

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City’s Historic and Local Markets

Markets are a huge part of everyday life in Ho Chi Minh City, and visiting a few is one of my favorite ways to get a feel for a city. We visited two very different markets during our time here. Chợ Bến Thành is the famous, historic market most visitors have probably heard of, while Tân Định Market felt much more like a neighborhood market where locals actually come to shop for their everyday needs.

Chợ Bến Thành

• Address- 15 Phan Bội Châu, Bến Thành, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6am-6pm with some vendors open till 11pm
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Chợ Bến Thành is probably the most recognizable market in Ho Chi Minh City, and its history goes back much further than the building you see today. The original market was built near the Bến Thành river wharf and Gia Định Citadel. It was destroyed by fire in 1859, rebuilt the following year, and eventually replaced by the current market after the original location became too run-down. Construction on the present market began in 1912, and it officially opened in 1914.

Today, the market covers a huge block in the heart of District 1 and has nearly 1,500 stalls. Walking through it, we found plenty of Vietnamese coffee and tea, fabrics, clothing, dried foods, handicrafts, souvenirs, and all kinds of things aimed at visitors. While it is still a working market, it definitely felt like tourism now plays a major role in what is sold here.

That doesn't mean it isn't worth visiting. The market itself is a piece of Saigon's history, and the iconic clock tower over the south entrance has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. I enjoyed wandering through the maze of stalls and seeing all the different products, even if I wasn't necessarily looking to buy much.

If you're looking for souvenirs, Vietnamese coffee, tea, textiles, or a classic market experience in the middle of the city, Bến Thành is an easy place to start. Just remember that prices can be higher here than at markets that cater primarily to locals, so it pays to compare prices and be prepared to bargain.

Photo by Long Chung on Unsplash

Tân Định Market (Chợ Tân Định)

• Address- 314 - 336 Hai Bà Trưng, Tân Định, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 6am-6pm, individual stalls may vary
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

Tân Định Market was a completely different experience for us. Located on Hai Bà Trưng Street, this market felt much more like a place where people from the surrounding neighborhood actually come to shop.

Inside, you'll find row after row of fabric, along with household goods, dry goods, sewing supplies, and other everyday items. Outside, the market opens up into the kind of colorful wet market I loved walking through, with vendors selling vegetables, herbs, meat, seafood, and other fresh ingredients.

It was busy, crowded, and full of the sights, sounds, and smells that make Vietnamese markets so interesting. Even though we were obviously visitors, we were welcomed warmly and never felt like we were in the way.

One of my favorite purchases here was actually something small but very useful: we bought our phin, the little Vietnamese coffee filter used to make traditional drip coffee. We had been wanting one, and finding it at a local market made it feel like an even better souvenir.

For me, Tân Định was the more interesting market of the two because it felt less focused on tourists and more connected to everyday life in Ho Chi Minh City. If you enjoy markets, I would definitely make time for both. Bến Thành gives you the history and iconic landmark, while Tân Định gives you a better glimpse into how locals shop for food, fabric, and household goods.

Chợ Cũ Tôn Thất Đạm: Saigon's Old Market

• Address- Tôn Thất Đạm, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

• Hours- Open Monday-Friday 9am-7pm & Saturday and Sunday 9am-$4:30pm

• Payment- Cash

• Google Maps location

Chợ Cũ, or the Old Market, on Tôn Thất Đạm Street is one of Saigon's oldest trading areas, with a history stretching back roughly 180 years. The market originally grew around the city's waterways, where boats brought in goods from Vietnamese, Chinese, and Indian traders.

Over the years, the market shifted from a busy trading hub selling imported goods and luxury items to a more neighborhood-focused market. Today, you can still find traditional food stalls and family-run eateries, alongside the charming, aging colonial-era apartment buildings. The old apartment complex "number fourteen" located at 14 Tôn Thất Đạm has become a hidden little enclave of coffee shops, independent boutiques, and bars tucked away in its retro corridors.

If you enjoy exploring places with a little history and plenty of character, this area is worth wandering through. It's an interesting mix of old Saigon and modern city life, with local market culture sitting alongside newer businesses.

Discover Local Experiences with GetYourGuide

Sometimes the best part of traveling is trying something completely new, and GetYourGuide is a great place to look for experiences you might not find on your own.

From Vietnamese cooking classes and street food adventures to cultural activities and excursions beyond the city, it's a useful resource for finding ways to experience Ho Chi Minh City beyond the usual sightseeing stops.

If you're looking to add something memorable to your Vietnam itinerary, take a look at what's available during your visit.

War Remnants Museum: A Difficult but Important Visit

War Remnants Museum

• Address- Phường 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam
  Hours- Open daily from 7:30am-5;30pm
  Price- $1.54
  Payment- Cash
  Google Maps Location

This isn't a museum you "enjoy." It's one you absorb. It challenges you, unsettles you, and at times is genuinely difficult to take in. And yet, I'm glad we went.

In a city that pulses with energy, rooftop bars, colorful markets, and motorbikes weaving through seemingly impossible traffic, the War Remnants Museum offers something much deeper. It is a reminder of resilience, loss, and the enormous human cost of war.

The museum focuses primarily on the Vietnam War, or what is commonly referred to in Vietnam as the American War. Its exhibits include military equipment, photographs, documents, and personal stories that present the conflict from the Vietnamese perspective.

Some of the exhibits are difficult to look at, particularly those documenting the effects of war on civilians and the long-term consequences of chemical warfare. This isn't a place I would recommend rushing through just to check it off your sightseeing list. Give yourself time to process what you're seeing.

Upstairs, the mood shifts from the larger exhibits and displays to something much more intimate. Room after room is filled with photographs taken by war correspondents who risked their lives to document what was happening on the ground.

I found myself slowing down as I moved through these rooms. I read the captions carefully, spent much longer looking at individual photographs than I expected, and sometimes simply stood there taking everything in.

The museum's presentation is understandably shaped by Vietnam's perspective of the war, so it may look different then what you learned in school. It's worth remembering that history can look very different depending on who is telling the story. For me, that didn't make the experience less meaningful. If anything, it made me think more deeply about how we learn history and whose stories are preserved.

Some of the photographs are incredibly difficult to look at, but they stay with you.

If you're visiting Ho Chi Minh City, I think the War Remnants Museum is worth making time for, even if museums aren't normally your thing. Just don't expect a lighthearted afternoon attraction. Come prepared to slow down, listen, and reflect.

Must-See Sights in Ho Chi Minh City

Beyond the markets, street food, and museums we've already covered, there are a few other places worth adding to your Ho Chi Minh City itinerary. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, temples, or just getting out to explore another part of the city, these sights offer a glimpse into Saigon's fascinating past and vibrant everyday life.

Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)

• Address- 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa / 106 Nguyễn Du, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

• Hours- Open Daily from 7am-6pm

• Price- Adult $3.10 Student/Senior $1.55 Children 6-16 $.80

• Google Maps location

Independence Palace is one of the most important historical landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City. It served as the presidential palace of South Vietnam, and its gates became a defining part of the events of April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese tank entered the grounds. Today, you can walk through preserved meeting rooms, offices, and the underground command center to learn more about this pivotal period in Vietnamese history.

Photo by: CreateTravel.tv on Unsplash

Saigon Central Post Office

• Address- 02 Công trường Công xã Paris, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

• Hours- Open Monday- Saturday 7:30am-6pm & Sundays from 8am-5pm

• Google Maps location

Even if you're not planning to mail anything home, the Central Post Office is worth stopping by for its beautiful colonial-era architecture. Inside, you'll find a large arched hall, historic maps, old telephone booths, and souvenir stalls. It's conveniently located next to Notre-Dame Cathedral, making it easy to visit both landmarks together. We even took the time to mail some postcards back to the US!

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

• Address- 01 Công trường Công xã Paris, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam

• Mass schedule- Sunday: 5:30am,6:45am,8am,9:30am (English Mass), 4pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm

• Price- Free

• Attire- Dress modestly, Shoulders and knees should be covered.

• Google Maps location

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most recognizable landmarks. Built between 1877 and 1880 during the French colonial period, this beautiful red-brick cathedral features Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture, with materials imported from France. Its twin bell towers were added in 1895, and the Pope recognized it as a minor basilica in 1959.

Located in District One, it's an easy stop while exploring downtown, especially since the Saigon Central Post Office is right next door. Major restoration work began in 2017, so check its current status before visiting, as access may be restricted. Every time we went by it was closed off, but you can still attend mass on Sundays.

Photo by Anh Vy on Unsplash

Tân Định Church: Saigon’s Famous Pink Church

• Address- 289 Hai Bà Trưng, Xuân Hòa, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

• Hours- Open Tueday-Saturday from 7:30am-11:30pm & 2:30pm-630pm, Sundays from 6:30am-10:30am & 4:30pm-8:30pm

• Price- Free

• Attire- Dress modestly, Shoulders and knees should be covered.

• Google Maps location

Tân Định Church is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most recognizable landmarks, and it's easy to see why! Its vibrant pastel-pink exterior and tall spires really make it stand out against the surrounding city streets. Built during the French colonial era, construction began in 1870, and the church officially opened in 1876.

The church features a beautiful mix of Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Renaissance architecture, with rounded arches and intricate decorative details. Interestingly, it wasn't always pink. The church received its famous pink makeover during a major renovation in 1957, when both the exterior and interior were painted this distinctive color.

We had never heard of Tân Định Church before we walked past it, but its bright pink exterior immediately caught our attention! We quickly looked it up to learn more about its history, and I'm glad we did. Whether you're interested in architecture, history, or simply want to see one of Saigon's most photogenic landmarks, Tân Định Church is worth adding to your itinerary.

Photo by Nga CreateTravel.tv on Unsplash

Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street

• Address- QPF3+JF9, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

• Hours- Open 24/7 Motorized traffic is restricted from 6:00 PM to 6:00 Am daily, turning the central strip into a pedestrian zone

• Price-Free

• Google Maps location

For a taste of modern Saigon, head to Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street in the heart of the city. This wide pedestrian boulevard is surrounded by shops, cafes, restaurants, and impressive buildings. It's especially lively in the evening when locals and visitors come out to stroll, meet friends, and enjoy the city atmosphere. Keep an eye out for the colorful displays and cafes inside the famous old apartment buildings nearby.

Celebrate Tết at Ho Chi Minh City's Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival in Chinatown

• Where we sat

We visited Ho Chi Minh City during Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and we knew we wanted to head to Chợ Lớn, Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown, to experience the lantern festival and Tết celebrations.

We hadn't really researched the best place to watch the festivities, though, so once we arrived, we made our way toward the main street and looked for the crowds. When we found a street lined with people waiting along the sidewalks, we figured we must have found the right spot!

We found a place where we could order some tea and wait for the parade to start. The owners and guests were incredibly welcoming and made room for us, even grabbing extra chairs so we could sit and watch with everyone else.

It took about an hour for the parade to reach us, arriving around 5 p.m. From what we could tell, the parade ran roughly from 4 to 6 p.m., depending on where you were along the route.

As soon as the parade started, everyone abandoned their chairs and moved toward the edge of the sidewalk and into the street. The atmosphere completely changed. There were beautiful floats, dancers, performers, and, of course, plenty of traditional lion and dragon dances.

One of my favorite parts was getting to pet both a lion and a dragon as they came through. Lion and dragon dances are an important part of Tết celebrations and are associated with bringing good luck and prosperity for the new year, so getting to touch them felt like an especially lucky experience.

That interaction really captured what we loved about the celebration. We were visitors who had come specifically to experience Tết, yet the people around us were happy to explain things, make room, and include us in the celebration. The owners and guests had already gone out of their way to make sure we had chairs, and throughout the parade we never felt like outsiders.

The whole experience was colorful, energetic, and unforgettable. We felt incredibly lucky to experience Tết this way and so grateful for how warmly we were welcomed into the celebration.

If you're visiting Ho Chi Minh City during Tết, spending time in Chợ Lớn is a wonderful way to experience the holiday atmosphere. We didn't need a perfect viewing plan. We simply followed the crowds, found a good spot, and let the celebration come to us.

Where to Store Your Luggage in Ho Chi Minh City

If you are planning to travel around Vietnam while using Ho Chi Minh City as a home base, having somewhere safe to leave your larger bags can make things so much easier. We used a self-storage facility in Bình Trưng to store our big bags while we traveled around Vietnam, and it made taking overnight buses and moving between destinations much less of a hassle.

Self-Storage

• Address-Self-Storage, 90 Song Hành, Street, Bình Trưng, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam

• Price- ~ $40 a month

• Payment- Card, online

• Website

• Google Maps location

We stored our big bags here while we traveled around Vietnam, and we were really happy with the experience. The facility was clean, the employees communicated with us very well, and having our luggage stored safely meant we didn't have to drag everything with us every time we took an overnight bus.

Payment is handled online, and you have access to your storage 24/7, which made picking up or dropping off our bags really convenient. Our total rental came to about $40, although the price is cheaper if you rent for a longer period. There is also a one-month deposit, but we received that money back when we picked up our bags.

For us, this was well worth the cost. Being able to leave our large bags behind made traveling around Vietnam much easier, especially when we were taking overnight buses.

I highly recommend this place if you need luggage or self-storage while traveling through Ho Chi Minh City.

How to get Ho Chi Minh City From Hanoi

If you are traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, flying is by far the easiest option if you want to save time. We flew with VietJet and, despite hearing some mixed reviews about the airline, we actually had a great experience.

Flying VietJet From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

• Book with 12GO

We used miles for our flights, but the cash price for both tickets would have been about $110 USD, including one checked bag per person weighing up to 50 pounds. Checking our bags was easy, although VietJet did weigh both our carry-on and personal items, so make sure you stay within the airline's baggage limits. VietJet currently allows a main carry-on and one small personal item with a combined weight of 7 kg on standard fares, while checked baggage depends on the fare or baggage package purchased.

Security at the airport was surprisingly easy for us and took about 20 minutes. We were also happy to find that food and water at the airport weren't outrageously expensive, which was a welcome change from some airports we've been through.

The flight itself was comfortable. The seats had enough room for us, although if you are around 6 feet tall or taller, you might find the legroom a little cramped. VietJet does not provide complimentary food or drinks on its standard fares, but they do come through the cabin selling food and beverages, and you can pay with cash.

One thing I would keep in mind is VietJet's reputation for delays. We were not delayed at all, so we personally had a great experience, but I have read plenty of reports from other travelers who have experienced delays. Because of that, I would be cautious about booking a tight connection after a VietJet flight. If you have an important international flight or another connection you absolutely cannot miss, I would seriously consider flying into Ho Chi Minh City a day earlier.

For us, though, VietJet worked out really well and was an affordable and easy way to get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City From Phnom Penh

If you're traveling overland between Cambodia and Vietnam, taking the bus is an affordable and relatively easy option. We took the Giant Ibis bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, and overall, the journey was much easier than we expected.

Taking the Giant Ibis Bus

• Cost: ~ $36 USD per person
  Travel time: ~ 6 to 7 hours
  

  We recommend booking with 12Go, the app is easy to use and translates natively into English, which is a huge plus.

The Giant Ibis bus had nice, large, comfortable seats, although there was no toilet on board. The first stop came about two hours into the trip. There were free bathrooms here, although there was no toilet paper, so I recommend keeping some in your day bag. There was also a small store and vendors if you wanted to grab a snack or drink.

When we reached the Cambodian border ~ 3 hours in, we got off the bus to have our passports stamped. We then handed our passports and visas to the bus attendant, who took care of the paperwork while we got back on the bus.

Just before reaching the Vietnamese border, we stopped between the two checkpoints for about 30 minutes so everyone could have lunch while the attendant continued working on our passports. Once lunch was finished, it was only a short drive to the Vietnam border.

This time, we got off the bus with all of our belongings and went through Vietnamese immigration ourselves. We received our passports back, put our bags through the X-ray machine, and then had our passports checked one more time before getting back on the bus. we arrived in HCMC ~2 hours later

The whole process was surprisingly straightforward. There are several steps, and you do have to get off the bus more than once, but the Giant Ibis staff made the process easy to follow. For us, this was an affordable and convenient way to travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City without having to deal with airports.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

We stayed in two different apartments during our time in Ho Chi Minh City, and they gave us two very different experiences. Our first apartment was in Tân Định, which was a great home base for exploring the city. Later, we stayed closer to the airport, which was much more convenient for our flight and gave us a chance to see a different side of Ho Chi Minh City.

Loftic Apartments, Tân Định

• Check out current availability on Booking.com

• Address- 44 Đường Trần Quang Khải, District 1, 70000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  Price point- $17-27 USD
  Google Maps location

We really loved our apartment at Loftic Apartments in Tân Định. It was much bigger than we expected, and after traveling for a while, having a full kitchen again was a huge bonus. Our host brought us everything we needed to cook, which made it easy to prepare meals at home when we didn't feel like going out.

The building also had a great rooftop patio with free washers and dryers, which is always a big deal for us when we're traveling long-term. Having laundry available without having to pay extra was especially nice, and of course, having AC was a must in Ho Chi Minh City's heat and humidity.

The location was another major plus. We were outside the most touristy areas, but still within an easy walk or bus ride of the places we wanted to visit. There was also a great local market just a few minutes away, which made picking up fresh food and everyday essentials really easy.

Our host was incredibly helpful and gave us recommendations for so many great restaurants. He even recommended places in other cities we were planning to visit, which was incredibly helpful as we continued traveling around Vietnam.

For us, this was a fantastic combination of comfort, location, and price. If you're planning to spend several days exploring Ho Chi Minh City, we would definitely recommend staying in Tân Định. For 14 nights we spent $286.

Ngo House

• Check availability on Booking.com

• Address- 132 Ngô Thị Thu Minh, Tan Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

• Price point- $14-15 USD

• Google Maps location

Our second apartment, Ngo House, was completely different from our first. We chose it primarily because it was much closer to the airport, making it a convenient place to stay before our flight.

The apartment itself was clean and comfortable, with AC in the main living area. One of our favorite features was the private balcony with an outdoor kitchen. It was a great little space to sit outside and enjoy the neighborhood.

The location is quite a bit farther from the main tourist districts, so I wouldn't choose this apartment if your primary goal is to spend several days sightseeing around central Ho Chi Minh City. Our first neighborhood was definitely more convenient for getting around and seeing the major sights.

That said, I actually really enjoyed staying here for a few nights. Being farther from the tourist areas gave us the chance to see a different side of Vietnam and experience a more residential neighborhood. If you need somewhere to stay for a night or two before or after a flight, I highly recommend Ngo House. It was affordable, comfortable, and close enough to the airport to make travel day much easier. We spend $75 USD for 3 nights

Helpful Vietnamese Phrases for Travelers

Knowing a few basic Vietnamese phrases can make getting around a lot easier, especially when you're ordering food, shopping, or asking for directions. English is common in many tourist areas, and Google Translate is incredibly helpful, but making an effort to speak a little Vietnamese is always appreciated.

Vietnamese is a tonal language, so pronunciation can be tricky at first. Don't worry if you don't get it perfect. Pointing, smiling, and a little patience go a long way too!

Hello (Xin chào): sin chow This is the formal hello in Vietnam, but you won't hear it too often. Most of the time people simply use, "Hello."

Thank you (Cảm ơn): gahm uhn

Sorry / Excuse me (Xin lỗi): sin loy

Yes (Có): gaw

No (Không): kohng

Please (Làm ơn): lahm uhn

Goodbye (Tạm biệt): tahm bee-et

I don't understand (Không hiểu): kohng hee-oo

Do you speak English? (Bạn nói tiếng Anh không?): ban noy tee-eng ahng kohng?

How much does it cost? (Bao nhiêu tiền?): bao nyoo tee-en?

Where is the bathroom? (Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?): nya vay sing uh dow?

I want this one (Tôi muốn cái này): toy moon kai nay

Not spicy (Không cay): kohng kai

A little spicy (Ít cay): eet kai

Spicy (Cay): kai

Water (Nước): nook

No ice (Không đá): kohng dah

No sugar (Không đường): kohng duong

Delicious (Ngon): ngon

Vietnamese Numbers

I've included some larger numbers since prices in Vietnamese dong get very large quickly!

Zero (Không): kohng

One (Một): moht

Two (Hai): high

Three (Ba): bah

Four (Bốn): bohn

Five (Năm): nahm

Six (Sáu): sow

Seven (Bảy): buy

Eight (Tám): tahm

Nine (Chín): cheen

Ten (Mười): moo-ee

Twenty (Hai mươi): high moo-ee

Thirty (Ba mươi): bah moo-ee

Forty (Bốn mươi): bohn moo-ee

Fifty (Năm mươi): nahm moo-ee

One hundred (Một trăm): moht trahm

One thousand (Một nghìn): moht ngeen

Ten thousand (Mười nghìn): moo-ee ngeen

One hundred thousand (Một trăm nghìn): moht trahm ngeen

One million (Một triệu): moht chee-ow

Helpful Travel Tips for Ho Chi Minh City

Public Transportation

Ho Chi Minh City has several options for getting around, and we used a combination of Grab, buses, and the metro depending on where we were going.

• Grab: Grab was our easiest option when we didn't want to deal with traffic or figure out a bus route. You can use the app to request a car or motorbike and see the price before you book.

• Bus: The city buses were inexpensive and surprisingly easy to use once we figured them out. The fare is displayed on the side of the bus, and the buses we took cost between 5,000 and 7,000 VND depending on our stop. Get on and find a seat first, then an attendant will come around to collect payment. We simply showed them where we were going on the map on our phone. We believe the buses are cash only, so keep some small bills handy. Some buses also have free Wi-Fi, which was a nice surprise. Make sure you hold onto your ticket after paying because they do check them occasionally.

• Metro: Ho Chi Minh City's metro is another convenient option. You can buy a ticket from the machines using cash, or you can use tap-to-pay with a Visa or Mastercard credit card. The machines have an English setting and give change, making the process pretty straightforward. You select your destination, pay, and the machine gives you a card that you tap to enter the platform. There are also free bathrooms inside the paid area after you tap in.

Crossing the Street in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is not particularly pedestrian-friendly, but don't let that scare you away from walking. Crossing the street can look absolutely chaotic when you're surrounded by cars and motorbikes coming from every direction.

Even when you find a crosswalk with a traffic light, motorbikes and cars may still drive through while you're crossing. Our best advice is to keep moving, walk at a steady pace, and hold out your hand so drivers know you're crossing. They generally drive around you. It feels terrifying at first, but after a few crossings, you start to get the hang of it.

ATMs

We found a fee-free ATM at Eximbank CN Tân Định. Keep in mind that while the ATM itself may not charge a fee, your own bank may still charge an international or out-of-network fee. Whenever an ATM gives you the option, always withdraw in Vietnamese đồng rather than letting the ATM convert the transaction into U.S. dollars. Your bank will generally give you a better exchange rate.

Trash and Bathrooms

There are trash cans throughout Ho Chi Minh City, which we appreciated considering how much street food and takeout we were eating.

Bathrooms are a different story. Public restrooms aren't nearly as easy to find as trash cans, and finding one when you really need it can be a challenge. You'll often need to use the bathroom at a restaurant, coffee shop, shopping center, museum, or metro station.

And then there are the Vietnamese Uncles.... You may occasionally see men simply stop and relieve themselves wherever they happen to be. It definitely takes some getting used to!

Can You Drink the Tap Water?

We did not drink the tap water in Ho Chi Minh City. We stuck with bottled water during our stay. We did use the tap water for brushing our teeth and cooking

SIM Cards & E-SIMs

We had good cellular service with both of our setups.

I used an Airalo eSIM that cost $11.50 for 30 days with 5 GB of data. Don bought a physical Viettel SIM for $16.70 that included 6 GB of data per day for 30 days.

Both worked really well and had great connections, but Don's Viettel SIM was definitely the better value if you need a lot of data.

Maps and Navigation

We used Google Maps throughout Ho Chi Minh City. It was helpful for finding restaurants, markets, attractions, bus routes, and public transportation options.

That said, don't be surprised if Google Maps sends you down a tiny alley or through a neighborhood that doesn't look like somewhere tourists would normally go. Some of our favorite food finds came from exactly that.

Watch out for the shoe cleaning scams!

Don unfortunately found out the hard way that if you don’t ask for a price before they start you will probably end up paying 3 times what they normally charge. We were sitting having a cup of coffee when the guy came up and started cleaning Don's shoe without asking. He should have asked then, but he figured it couldn't be more than $1-2 USD.

In the end the guy asked for 200,000 VND ($7.72) which is more than we spent on two meals out in a day. I'm sure Don could have protested or even refused to pay, but he chose to just give the guy the money. His shoes did come out really clean though!

Final Thoughts on Ho Chi Minh City

I definitely think Ho Chi Minh City is a must-see destination and deserves a few days on your Vietnam itinerary. It is loud, chaotic, crowded, and constantly moving.

That said, HCMC is also a city I can only handle for short periods of time. There is so much going on that after a few days, I'm usually ready for somewhere a little quieter. That's why I think Ho Chi Minh City pairs perfectly with exploring some of Vietnam's smaller cities and regions.

Because HCMC is such a major transportation hub, it's an easy place to spend a few days before flying, taking a bus, or driving on to your next destination. Vietnam has so much more to offer beyond its biggest cities, and some of our favorite experiences came in the smaller and less-visited places.

So, spend a few days eating your way through Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the markets, learning about its history, and embracing the chaos. Then, when you're ready for a change of pace, head out and see what the rest of Vietnam has to offer.

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